Lee County elections are likely the last thing on everyone’s mind right now.

At least that’s what the candidates are thinking.

“It’s difficult right now,” said Lydia Lowell-Sherman, a Fort Myers Ward 5 candidate. “If you even mention an election, people get angry.”

But that’s how it should be, said Kevin Koch, a Cape Coral mayoral candidate.

“The election is important, but not as important as helping our people out and making sure they have food and water,” Koch said.

Gov. Rick Scott postponed the primary election twice due to Hurricane Irma, in what the Lee County elections office is calling an unprecedented situation. The new primary for the non-partisan elections in Cape Coral and Fort Myers is Oct. 3, with early voting scheduled to resume Sept. 28-30.

But Southwest Florida is still reeling from Hurricane Irma’s devastation.

Many people are still without power and relying on assistance for food and water. In some cases, flooding has eithertrapped people inside their homes or kept them from entering. Hundreds of people are still in shelters.

None of the candidates interviewed for this story said they spent time campaigning since Hurricane Irma made landfall Sept. 10.

“Meeting the needs of people is more important than knocking on doors trying to get a vote,” said Mildred Barnes, another Fort Myers Ward 3 candidate.

Jackson and Barnes said they’ve focused their energy on cooking and serving food to their neighbors.

Jackson, who was still without power as of Tuesday, said she has been serving food alongside city officials and members of her church. With so many people affected by Hurricane Irma, the election isn’t a focus for people, she said.

“I’m just trying to do everything I can to help my neighbors right now,” Jackson said.

In addition to helping neighbors with food and water, Koch has reached out to the men and women working to restore power throughout the community, he said.

“(Hurricane Irma was) the only storm in my entire life where I actually felt nervous,” Sheard said.

But as soon as he returned to Fort Myers, he said he started passing out food, water and ice at the Dr. Ann Murphy Knight STARS Complex. He plans to continue campaigning this week.

On the other hand, Sherman is in Rhode Island for the Antiques Roadshow, and “It’s lovely here,” she said.

Sherman came back to Fort Myers the day after Hurricane Irma made landfall. She spent a week collecting money and water, she said, and sent supplies to those in need. She won the tickets to the Antiques Roadshow and left Sunday. She is scheduled to return Thursday.

None of the incumbent candidates seeking re-election in the primary responded to interview requests.

Cape Coral has three races on the ballot. Seven people are running for mayor, three candidates are running in District 1 and three are running in District 4.

The top two finishers in the nonpartisan primary face off Nov. 7 in the general election.

In Fort Myers, the three races include mayor and wards 3 and 5. Unless a candidate wins a majority vote in the nonpartisan race, the top two candidates for mayor and wards 3 and 5 will join the two candidates for Ward 1 on the Nov. 7 ballot.